PRESS RELEASE
May 2006

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY IN OUR SCHOOLS

What a difference our schools make! If you live in Walnut Creek, and you are a parent, grandparent, community resident, school alumni, business or someone who cares about our community, you benefit from our schools. Emily Schardt, WCEF K-12 Executive Director, reminds us that "Excellent schools contribute to the overall quality of life in our community, They add to our real estate values, create an environment that welcomes business and make our community safe. By supporting our children and our schools, we are supporting the future of our community."

According to the latest statistics, California spends only $6,837 per student annually, well below the U.S. average of $7,640. As a state California ranks 33rd in the nation in spending per pupil. According to Katie Peņa, Governing Board President for the Walnut Creek School District, "the monies cannot always be funneled to where they are needed the most. Most of the money received from the state is restricted to specific uses." Enter the Walnut Creek Education Foundation K-12 (WCEF K-12), a volunteer led, non-profit organization. WCEF K-12 serves all of the Walnut Creek school district, and Las Lomas high school. It subsidizes the huge gap in state funding necessary to sustain the academic and enrichment programs and student services essential to our students. Sara C. is a fifth grader at the Indian Valley Elementary school. Sara has been fortunate enough to have a broad educational experience that includes standards based vocal music, art instruction and physical education. Because of the California budget crisis in recent years, these programs would have been eliminated due to the lack of funding, had it not been for private funding sources like WCEF K-12.

WCEF K-12 has launched their spring pledge campaign, which will continue through fall of 2006. The foundation's fundraising goal for the upcoming 2006-07 school year is 100% participation at any giving level and $1,000,000. "This is an ambitious but achievable goal," says Tom Terrill, WCEF K-12 President. "Achieving this goal will enable WCEF K-12 to fund additional programs and services, establish a solid reserve and allow us to support the budgeting cycles of the schools. I believe this is a realistic goal for the Walnut Creek community."

Walnut Creek community residents can join together this summer for a fun fundraiser benefiting the WCEF K-12. Tickets are now available for the Friday, Aug. 4 Giants game at AT&T Park when the Giants host the Colorado Rockies. As an added bonus, Walnut Creek students will perform the National Anthem and the 7th inning stretch. To order tickets on-line, visit www.sfgiants.com/fundraising.

"As individuals coming together for the sake of children," Terrill notes, "we form a powerful community!" For more information about the Walnut Creek Education Foundation K-12, log on to www.wcefk12.org.